How did you first find out about bariatric surgery and what were your initial impressions of it?

My heart Doctor talked to me about the lap-band. At first I thought I don't want to have Surgry and have something inside my body forever or have my stomach cut and whatever else they do.

Describe your experience with getting insurance approval for surgery. What advice, if any, do you have for other people in this stage?

Well I took a long time about a year and I didn't think they would approve it because I didn't have 12 months of weigh lose documented through my Doctor I only had 6 months. But I had alot of Medical problems most of the ones that were on the list. I just want to say its a long wait but just keep wait a talking to doctor and Ins. people and it will happen in time. Its WORTH IT ! !

What was your first visit with your surgeon like? How can people get the most out of this meeting?

It was good I asked lots of questions watched a movie but the surgry . My Surgeon was a great guy very nice.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

My health, family and my kids I just want to be healthier and feel good about myself.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I had heard alot a good things about the Lap-Band and my Doctor though that it would be a good proceedure for me. So I wanted the Lap-Band.

What fears did you have about having complications or even dying from from the surgery, and what would you tell other people having the same fears now?

I was very scared of dying and everything else but you do get through it. It helps when they give you that stuff that makes you feel really good it takes the edge off.

How did your family and friends react to your decision? Would you have communicated anything differently if you could now? How supportive were they after your surgery?

They were happy that I was going through with it. They wanted me to be healthier. I wouldn't do anything different. My family was the most helpful through the whole thing.

How did your employer/supervisor react to your decision? What did you tell him/her? How long were you out of work?

I am a homemaker and I sub at a school so they really did know to much. But I was good to go after a little over a week.

What was your stay in the hospital like? How long where you there? What things are most important to bring?

Well It wasn't to bad. I was there for almost two days. But they didn't give me anything to drink until I was about to go home they had some problems with alot of stuff. For the most part it really wasn't bad it could have been worse.

Did you have any complications from the surgery? If so, how did you deal with them?

No, But I did have to have another surgry 6 weeks later because my port came loose and he couldn't fill it and he had put the niddle through the line when he was trying to fill it so it wouldn't fill up the band anyways. So he had to fix it. The surgry this time was easier and not as sore.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

I felt GREAT alittle sore but not bad.

Describe your first few weeks home from the hospital. What should people expect from this period?

I was very tired for about 2-3 days, after that it was just sore. You will be sore.

How far did you travel to have your surgery? (If far, how did this affect your aftercare?)

I only traveled 20 miles.

Please describe in detail what things you could and couldn't eat in the weeks and months following surgery. What foods have been off limits? Please explain how your dietary tolerance changed week-by-week, and then month-by-month since surgery.

I ate 2 oz of soups or sugar free pudding every 2 hours for a week. Then tuna or chicken spread 2oz to 4oz. You go from eating soups to soft foods I couldn't drink any pop and still can't. No straws Now it just depends on you what you eat some people are different and can eat different things.

What was your actvity level in the days and weeks after surgery?

Not to much I walk as much as I could.

What vitamins and/or dietary supplements have you taken since your surgery?

I take Flintstones vitamins thats what they told me to take.

What aftercare support group/program do you have? How helpful/important is this?

I had to have 4 weeks of classes and clinic before and after. They helped with a lot of stuff, support and questions.

What is your scar like? Is this what you expected?

I have five little scars they told me it would be little ones.

Do you notice people treating you any differently now?

No, some people ask are you suppose to eat that, I say if I am eating it than yes.